as in hobby
an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure photography is merely an avocation for me—I've never tried to make money off of it

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of avocation Wine, however, was an avocation that eventually became part of his portfolio. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 18 June 2024 And the Romans had other, less-objectionable avocations. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 Today, cooking has become a major generational avocation and source of pride. Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023 Carter’s new avocation as an end-of-life doula is an outgrowth of the more than 15 years the Detroit native has spent doing hospice work in her free time. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for avocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avocation
Noun
  • What began as a hobby now earns her over 73,000 Instagram followers.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2025
  • What began as a hobby evolved into a career, supported by commissions and encouragement from fellow Malagasy photographers, including Kevin Ramarohetra.
    Liam Freeman, Vogue, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • From the hundreds of police and whole neighborhoods of New Yorkers taking to the streets in the immediate days that followed, to the worldwide pursuit that eventually ensued, people everywhere pitched in.
    Lisa R. Cohen, New York Daily News, 28 July 2025
  • Shifting To Three Words Maybe the two-word sphere is limited and not conducive to our pursuit.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • Ujiri’s path is proof that the ecosystem around sport is just as important.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
  • But in the last few years, the sport has exploded in popularity around the globe.
    Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • Residents are increasingly drawn to the area's rivers, mountain trails, and outdoor recreation—all while benefiting from an average income of $63,685 and home listings that average $819,700.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • According to Thomas, the themes associated with this zodiac sign include romance, creativity, recreation and children.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Avocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avocation. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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